When Ralph Lewis first saw 380 Robinwood Lane in Hillsborough more than a decade ago, he gravitated toward the ranch home's potential. It sat on roughly half an acre and offered a spacious backyard. The floor plan, while dated, offered opportunity for customization.

So Lewis, a Realtor with McGuire Real Estate, set out to create a space ideal for entertaining and gathering. A wall of glass windows now occupies the back of the two-level home, capitalizing on views of the landscaped yard featuring palm trees, ivy and a large grass pad.

"We put these windows in because I wanted it to feel like a loft in New York overlooking Central Park, especially when you are on the second level," Lewis said. "When we first bought it, the walls closed you off from the beauty."

Lewis also gutted the public areas and reformatted them to create an open living space. A breakfast nook off the kitchen features a sitting window and raised fireplace, offering a homey setting for casual dining and conversations. Though it was completed more than 10 years ago, the redesign was in many ways ahead of its time, said Lewis Butler, of Butler Armsden Architects.

"The trend (open floor plans) is now dominant," said Butler, who oversaw the redesign. "Young clients want everything as a single-room concept, we rarely put formal dining rooms in homes we do from scratch right now."

The great room features a vaulted ceiling with dark hardwood floors below. Wooden pillars support the space, while banks of rectangular windows with square panes of glass filter in sunlight and look at the yard. Long galleries create the ideal spot for displaying artwork.

The chef's kitchen has marble counters, tile flooring and stainless steel appliances. The center island offers a seating area and includes a gas cooktop. The raised hearth in the breakfast nook invites conversation, Butler said.

"It's a nice corner where you can talk to someone while they're cooking," he said.

Also on the level are au pair quarters with a separate bath and entryway, while a family room includes a pool table and sits near the staircase leading to the second level.

The master suite includes a Jacuzzi tub overlooking the rear garden. Outside, the garden comes with a stone pathway, mature landscaping and a pool. The outdoor space also includes a decorative pond and places to sit and quietly absorb the surroundings.

A built-in barbecue is installed in the patio.

In spite of all of the amenities inside and out, Lewis said the children's playhouse in the backyard garners a great deal of attention.